TWENTY FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 239 



showing us through all its departments, and the citizens tendering us 

 another at the Crocker art gallery, supplying lunch and an opportunity 

 to meet many pleasant people of Sacramento. 



A railway ride took us to the state's prison and mining camps. 



We visited old forts and the ruins of mission buildings, many of which 

 have been partially restored. 



The governor provided a steamer, and members of his staff, city 

 officials, business men, and others, with their wives, cruised with us 

 about San Francisco bay and out through the "Golden Gate" for a turn 

 on the Pacific ocean. 



We were escorted through Sutro park, had a pleasant call upon Mayor 

 Sutro, who lives in the midst of this magnificent park, which he is fitting 

 up for the city. His private secretary conducted us through what is 

 claimed to be the finest and most complete bath-house in the world. 



For nearly three weeks, by special train, we visited most of the promi- 

 nent fruitgrowing sections of California, from Sacramento to San Diego. 



The foremost topic, whether with the pomologist, the day laborer, the 

 merchant, banker, man, or woman, was the fruit interest. It seemed 

 well-nigh universally recognized as the crowning business or industry of 

 California. It was this which gave the greatest impetus to its late boom. 

 It attracted people with means who could purchase land and plant 

 orchards and vineyards, thus giving a more substantial growth and pros- 

 perity to the state. 



The topics considered at the Sacramento meeting were mainly of inter- 

 est to the Pacific coast. 



Among those of general interest were two papers upon spraying, the 

 mixtures similar to those recommended here. The Bordeaux seems to 

 be the most favored, and used for the greatest variety of purposes. 

 Strong claims were made for the necessity and the good results of the 

 applications; and it was shown that spraying is more relied upon as it 

 becomes better understood. I think the growers there use it more fre- 

 quently and thoroughly than with us. Their warm and genial climate 

 favors the propagation of diseases and insect enemies of tree and fruit, 

 requiring more persistent and diligent warfare to destroy or keep them 

 in check. 



Prof. Ragan of Indiana sent a paper entitled "Place of Pomology in 

 Horticultural Classification." He claimed that pomology should stand 

 first. The schedule of the Columbian Exposition, which was dictated by 

 the California commissioners, placing vine culture at the head, was 

 severely criticised by him. The applause and favorable comments 

 showed (hat his views were shared by many, although one of the com- 

 missioners was present and protested against it. 



G. B. Brackett of Iowa discussed in an interesting manner the "Modi- 

 fications of Fruits by Changes of Locality," claiming very marked alter- 

 ations by change of place and soil. The substance of his paper 

 emphasized the helpfulness of experiment stations to determine the varie- 

 ties most desirable for particular sections. Luther Burbank, of potato 

 fame, of Santa Rosa, California, had an exhaustive paper upon "New 

 Fruits and Flowers and How to Grow Them." It covered a wide field, 

 and showed great care in its preparation. 



